25+ Creative Things You Can Make With Craft Pipe Cleaners
There are some craft supplies that seem to have one obvious job.
Then there are chenille stems.
You might know them as pipe cleaners, chenille sticks or those colourful fuzzy stems that have been hiding in the craft cupboard for years. Whatever you call them, they are one of the easiest craft supplies to pick up when you have an idea and aren't quite sure how you're going to make it work.
They bend. They twist. They hold their shape. They can become petals, legs, antennae, stems, vines, tails, handles, loops and just about anything else your imagination can come up with.
And perhaps best of all? You don't need to be an expert crafter to get started.
At Discount Craft, our range includes classic solid-colour chenille stems alongside bumpy and tinsel styles, so there are plenty of options whether you're making something for a classroom, a rainy afternoon at home, a party, a seasonal display or simply because you felt like making something.
Shop Chenille Stems & Pipe Cleaners →
What are chenille stems?
Chenille stems are flexible craft wires covered in soft, fuzzy fibres. They are also commonly called pipe cleaners and chenille sticks.
Our standard chenille stems are approximately 6mm wide and 30cm long, making them a handy all-rounder for small craft projects, decorations and models. They are flexible enough to shape by hand while still having a wire core that allows them to hold their form.
They're particularly useful when a project needs a little structure without complicated tools.
One piece can become a flower stem.
Two can become a butterfly.
A few twisted together can become an animal, a wreath, a crown or a completely new creature that didn't exist five minutes ago.
That's the fun of them.
1. Make a colourful chenille stem flower bouquet
Flowers are one of the most popular ways to use pipe cleaners, and it's easy to see why.
Loop a chenille stem into petals, twist the centre together, add a contrasting stem and start building your own bouquet. Try pink, white and yellow for a classic floral look, or mix bright colours to create a playful bunch.
You can also experiment with:
- daisies
- tulips
- simple five-petal flowers
- layered flowers
- spiralled flowers
- tiny flowers for cards
- oversized flowers for decorations
For a more decorative finish, try tinsel chenille stems for sparkly petals or centres.
Shop Solid Colour Chenille Stems →
2. Create butterflies, dragonflies and other insects
Pipe cleaners are practically made for insect crafts.
Their bendable shape makes it easy to create wings, antennae and little legs, while a contrasting colour can instantly transform a simple shape into a butterfly, dragonfly, bee or ladybird.
Add googly eyes to give your creatures some personality.
Shop Safety Eyes & Googly Eyes →
You can even turn an insect-making session into a mini nature project by creating different insects and talking about their colours, wings, habitats and life cycles.
3. Make cute pipe cleaner animals
This is where things get really fun.
Chenille stems can be twisted into snakes, caterpillars, spiders, worms, dogs, cats, birds and all sorts of imaginative creatures.
Start with simple animals that use basic loops and twists, then see how complicated you can make them.
Brown and black stems work beautifully for little woodland animals, while bright colours are perfect for completely imaginary creatures.
And remember: not every animal needs to look realistic.
Sometimes the best craft projects are the ones that look like absolutely nothing you've ever seen before.
4. Make miniature people and characters
Use different coloured stems to build tiny people, dancers, superheroes, fairies or made-up characters.
Create arms and legs by bending individual stems, then twist pieces together to form the body.
This can be a particularly fun project for storytelling.
Make a character.
Give them a name.
Build a house.
Then create an entire cast of characters to go with them.
5. Make bracelets, rings and wearable crafts
Because chenille stems bend easily, they're also perfect for simple wearable crafts.
Twist them into:
- rings
- bracelets
- simple necklaces
- hair accessories
- costume details
- party accessories
- crowns and tiaras
Try combining stems with beads for extra colour and texture.
A simple chenille-stem bracelet can become a completely different project when you add alphabet beads, pony beads or colourful charms.
6. Create crowns and dress-up accessories
Making a costume?
Don't underestimate a packet of pipe cleaners.
They can be shaped into crowns, headpieces, antennae, wings, costume trims and other details that are difficult to create from flat materials.
For birthday parties or school activities, you can even set up a craft station where everyone makes their own crown or headpiece.
Try metallic or tinsel chenille stems when you want a little extra sparkle.
7. Build colourful 3D models
One of the best things about chenille stems is that they're not restricted to flat crafts.
Because they hold their shape, you can use them to construct three-dimensional models.
Try making:
- houses
- trees
- rainbows
- rockets
- cars
- robots
- bridges
- flowers
- abstract sculptures
The trick is to stop thinking of them as “pipe cleaners” and start thinking of them as tiny pieces of bendable craft wire.
Suddenly the possibilities get much bigger.
8. Make Christmas decorations
Chenille stems are brilliant for Christmas craft because they can be shaped into festive designs with very little fuss.
Try:
- Christmas trees
- stars
- candy canes
- wreaths
- snowflakes
- reindeer
- angels
- baubles
Tinsel chenille stems are especially useful here when you want your decorations to sparkle.
9. Create Easter crafts
The bright colours and fuzzy texture of chenille stems make them a natural fit for Easter craft.
Use them to create:
- bunny ears
- Easter baskets
- chicks
- carrots
- flowers
- decorated eggs
- Easter animals
Pair your stems with pom poms, felt and googly eyes to build little Easter characters.
10. Make gift toppers and wrapping decorations
Chenille stems don't have to be the entire project.
Use them as a finishing touch.
Twist one around a ribbon bow.
Make a tiny flower and attach it to a gift.
Create the first initial of someone's name.
Make a little star, heart or Christmas tree and add it to a parcel.
They're inexpensive enough that you can experiment without worrying about using your “good” craft supplies.
11. Use them for classroom craft
Chenille stems are a particularly useful addition to a classroom craft cupboard because the same material can be used for so many different activities.
Teachers and educators can use them for:
- creative play
- fine-motor activities
- colour recognition
- shape making
- counting activities
- letter and number formation
- seasonal crafts
- animal projects
- imaginative storytelling
- STEM-inspired building activities
They are also handy when you need a craft activity that doesn't require a huge amount of preparation.
12. Make letters and numbers
Try bending chenille stems into letters, names or numbers.
This can turn an ordinary craft session into a learning activity without making it feel like a lesson.
Children can make their name, build the alphabet, practise simple shapes or create numbers for counting games.
13. Make mini wreaths
Create a circle using chenille stems, then layer on flowers, leaves, bows or other decorations.
A miniature wreath can become:
- a Christmas decoration
- a dollhouse decoration
- a table decoration
- a classroom display
- a gift topper
Bumpy chenille stems are particularly fun when you want to add texture to your project.
14. Make tiny trees, plants and garden scenes
Green chenille stems are perfect for miniature foliage.
Twist them into leaves, vines, stems and little trees, then use them to build a miniature garden, fairy garden or imaginative landscape.
You can combine them with wooden craft pieces, moss, miniature decorations and other supplies to create a whole tiny world.
15. Turn chenille stems into party decorations
Use them to create table decorations, hanging shapes, cake or gift embellishments, photo props and themed decorations.
Because you can easily coordinate colours, they are especially useful for birthdays and events.
Pink and red for Valentine's Day.
Orange and black for Halloween.
Red and green for Christmas.
Pastels for baby showers or spring-themed parties.
Rainbow colours for a birthday or colourful craft table.
The possibilities are practically endless.
Which chenille stems should you choose?
Solid colour chenille stems
These are the best all-rounders.
Use them for flowers, animals, models, classroom craft, jewellery and everyday projects.
Tinsel chenille stems
Perfect when you want sparkle.
Use them for decorations, festive craft, crowns, stars, ornaments and anything that needs a little extra shine.
Bumpy chenille stems
These add texture and visual interest to your projects.
They're great for animal bodies, unusual flowers, tactile craft and anything where you want something a little different from a standard fuzzy stem.
Assorted packs
Not sure what colours you'll need?
Start with an assorted pack and let the colours inspire the project.
Sometimes having a rainbow of materials in front of you is enough to come up with an idea you wouldn't have thought of otherwise.
Tips for getting the most out of pipe cleaners
The simplest technique is also the most useful: bend, loop, twist and repeat.
Try wrapping a chenille stem around a pencil to create a neat spiral.
Fold one in half to find the centre.
Twist two colours together for a striped effect.
Layer several stems together when you need extra thickness.
And don't be afraid to undo something and try again. That's one of the best things about chenille stems — they're forgiving.
For younger children, remember that there is a wire core inside the stem. Cut stems with care, fold or cover sharp ends and supervise children when needed.
The best thing about chenille stems?
You don't really need a perfect plan.
You can start with one colour and a vague idea, then see where it goes.
Maybe it's a flower.
Maybe it's a butterfly.
Maybe it's a tiny creature that looks nothing like the original plan.
That's the beauty of open-ended crafting.
And with a few packets of chenille stems in the craft cupboard, you always have something on hand that can become something else.
Ready to see what you can make? Shop all Chenille Stems & Pipe Cleaners →
Chenille Stem FAQ
Are chenille stems the same as pipe cleaners?
Yes. Chenille stems, chenille sticks and craft pipe cleaners are commonly used names for the same type of fuzzy, flexible wire craft material.
What are chenille stems used for?
They can be used for flowers, animals, insects, jewellery, decorations, puppets, gift wrapping, classroom projects, model making and much more.
How long are chenille stems?
Discount Craft's standard 6mm chenille stems are approximately 30cm long. Other styles may vary, so check the individual product listing for exact measurements.
Are chenille stems suitable for kids craft?
They are a popular choice for children's craft, but they contain a wire core. Younger children should be supervised and sharp ends should be folded over or covered when necessary.
Where can I buy pipe cleaners in Australia?
Discount Craft stocks a wide range of chenille stems and craft pipe cleaners online, including solid colour, bumpy and tinsel styles.